Elevated salt stress level affected the productivity and chlorophyll content of Centella asiatica (L.)

Salinity disrupts plant nutrient uptake, metabolism, and increases susceptibility to biotic stresses. This reduces nutrient use efficiency, leading to stunted growth and decreased productivity. The aim of this study is to evaluate the growth and yield performance of Centella asiatica L. under varying levels of salt stress. The research was conducted at the Germplasm Centre, Department of Horticulture, Patuakhali Science and Technology University. A randomized complete block design with four replications was employed, wherein five salt concentrations i.e., 0 mM, 50 mM, 100 mM, 150 mM, and 200 mM were applied in four replications on 20 pots. Data on various growth and yield parameters were taken in four installments: 21, 42, 63, and 84 days after transplanting. Results showed that the highest values for various parameters were observed in the control group (2.34 mM base value), with notable figures including number of leaves (258.5), number of runners (126.75), petiole length (9.38 cm), chlorophyll content (41.62 SPAD value), fresh weight of leaves (23.92 g), dry weight of leaves (7.97 g), fresh weight of shoot (1.84 g), and dry weight of shoot (0.61 g) at 84 DAT. Conversely, fresh weight and dry weight of roots peaked at 150 mM salt concentration (1.95 g and 0.65 g, respectively). The investigations revealed that as salinity levels increased, a gradual decline in growth parameters was observed, indicating a significant reduction in the growth and yield of C. asiatica. These findings highlight the sensitivity of C. asiatica to salt stress and underscore the importance of salinity management for optimal growth and yield

Customer attitude, buying behavior and satisfaction towards online shopping: An empirical study in some selected areas of Bangladesh

In the current digital era, online shopping has swiftly risen to prominence among Bangladeshis' preferred methods of making purchases. The current study was carried out to find out sub-urban customers' socio-economic profile, male and female attitudes, influencing factors, customer satisfaction, and problems with online shopping. For this study, 110 customers were selected using convenience sampling techniques at Muktagachha and Fulbaria Upazila in the Mymensingh district of Bangladesh. Along with descriptive statistics, principal component analysis (PCA) including factor analysis and Likert scales (5-point) were used to analyze the data. The study found that about 71% of the customers were aged 18 to 36 years; 100% of the customers were familiar with purchasing non-agricultural products; about 78% of the customers were interested in buying agricultural products in the near future; respondents used social media like Facebook (77%) for online shopping; and about 68% of the customers were willing to pay more for security, better quality of the products, and a reliable platform. Customer satisfaction shows that time-saving (4.17), variety of products (3.93), and cash on delivery (3.86) payment systems were considered satisfactory items for online shopping. Absent of touch and feel (3.47), less quality (3.31), and online payments (3.28) were the major problems of respondents while they bought products online. To increase customer awareness of information technology services and foster a favorable view of the e-commerce industry, all online retailers should enhance their convenient promotional tools and service strategies. This paper intended to identify the factors that influence consumers' decision-making when deciding whether or not to purchase a product

Purification of biodiesel-derived crude glycerol and its application in plasticizing cassava starch bioplastics

This study focused on purifying crude glycerol, a by-product of biodiesel production, using acid-precipitation, methanol extraction, and adsorption with acid-activated charcoal. Among the acids tested—sulfuric, phosphoric, and hydrochloric—phosphoric acid proved most effective, producing the clearest glycerol with minimal salt deposition. The purified glycerol was then used to produce bioplastics, which were tested for mechanical properties. The results indicated that Phosphoric acid yielded the clearest glycerol with minimal salt deposition. The resultant salt, potassium phosphate (K2PO4), has potential as a fertilizer. The purified glycerol showed increased density and viscosity, indicating higher purity compared to crude glycerol. The density of the purified glycerol was closer to that of analytical-grade glycerol. Bioplastic 1 (using analytical-grade glycerol) exhibited the highest tensile strength, withstanding up to 4.3N and extending about 104mm before breaking. Bioplastic 2 (using glycerol purified with hydrochloric acid) withstood up to 4.1N, while Bioplastic 3 (using glycerol purified with acetic acid) endured the least stress, withstanding up to 3.8N and extending up to 87mm before breaking. The study demonstrates that phosphoric acid is an effective agent for purifying crude glycerol, significantly enhancing its quality. The purified glycerol, in turn, improves the mechanical properties of bioplastics, making them more durable and suitable for a range of applications. This process not only adds value to the biodiesel production by-product but also contributes to the development of stronger, more versatile bioplastics

Impact of construction activities on the air quality of Agra city, Uttar Pradesh, India

The current research work was carried out to comprehensively assessed the impact of construction activities on the air quality. Seven sites were chosen along the metro line construction in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India, to meet the study's goals. The monitoring was performed for 24 hours at each site using the respirable dust sampler (RDS) with a gaseous sampling attachment. The raw data was processed to calculate the Air Quality Index (AQI). The data obtained indicate that all the examined sites had PM10 (particulate matter having the diameter less than or equal to 10 micron) values above the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQ) values of 100 µg/m3, while SS-05 and SS-06 had PM2.5 (particulate matter having the diameter less than or equal to 2.5 micron) values above the NAAQ values of 60 µg/m3. Values of CO, SO2, and NO2 were discovered to be lower than the NAAQ standard limits. Because PM10's sub index (Si) was found to be the greatest across all locations, it was determined to be the criterion pollutant among all the metrics. Based on the AQI value, the research area's overall air quality was determined to be moderately polluted. At every location, a variety of management techniques, including mist guns, water spraying, and planting, are regularly used to reduce air pollution. Effective implementation of applied air pollution control measures is required to make the air clean and safe for breathing

Influence of sowing dates and weeding regimes on growth attributes and maize dry fodder yield

Effective agricultural practices are pivotal for ensuring optimal crop yields and sustainable farming. Two critical factors that significantly influence crop productivity are the date of planting and the weeding regime. An experiment was carried out to investigate how the timing of planting and the frequency of weeding impact the growth characteristics and fodder yield of maize. The study involved three planting dates viz. 15 November (D1), 15 December (D2) and 14 January (D3) along with five different weeding regimes viz. no weeding (W0), two hand weedings at 15 and 30 days after sowing (DAS) (W1), pre-emergence herbicide (pendimethalin) + one hand weeding at 30 DAS (W2), post-emergence herbicide (pyrazosulfuran-ethyl) + one hand weeding at 30 DAS (W3), and pre-emergence herbicide (pendimethalin) + post-emergence (pyrazosulfuran-ethyl) herbicide (W4). The growth characteristics and the amount of dry fodder produced were notably affected by the timing of planting, the method of weeding and how these factors interacted. At harvest, the tallest plant (138.48 cm) and total dry matter production plant-1 (37.32 g) were recorded in the plants sown on 15 November with the application of pre-emergence herbicide (pendimethalin) + one hand weeding at 30 DAS. The maximum number of leaves plant-1 (13.33) and leaf chlorophyll content (116.60) were obtained from15 November with the application of pre-emergence herbicide (pendimethalin) + post-emergence (pyrazosulfuran-ethyl) herbicide and 14 January with the application of pre-emergence herbicide (pendimethalin) + one hand weeding at 30 DAS. The highest dry fodder yield (4.14 t ha-1) was achieved with maize planted on 15 November and treated with pre-emergence herbicide (pendimethalin) + one hand weeding at 30 days after sowing. Based on the study, it can be concluded that planting on November 15 using a pre-emergence + one hand weeding 30 days after sowing may result in the tallest plants, maximum total dry matter production and the maximum dry fodder yield of maize

Molecular identification of biosurfactant-producing bacteria obtained from oil-polluted soil samples in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Nigeria

Several human activities have led to environmental pollution with crude oil and other related hydrocarbons. There are various technologies of remediating oil-polluted environments, but the use of biological agents such as biosurfactants are widely practiced, and are generally considered as safe and eco-friendly. This study aimed at isolating and identifying biosurfactant-producing bacteria obtained from oil polluted soil samples in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Nigeria using molecular techniques. Six waste oil-contaminated soil samples were collected from mechanic and generator repair workshops, and were analyzed using standard microbiological methods. Nine bacterial isolates were obtained from the waste oil-contaminated soil samples, and were suspected to be Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus. Molecular identification of the biosurfactant-producing isolates was also carried out using PCR and the genes responsible for biosurfactant production targeted. Oil spreading technique was used to detect the oil displacement activity (ODA) of the isolates. The emulsification index (E24) was calculated and the ability of the extracted biosurfactant to emulsify the hydrocarbons was determined. Pseudomonas aeruginosa had the highest ODA of 28.1 cm while Staphylococcus aureus had the least ODA of 5 cm. Pseudomonas aeruginosa showed E24 of 70.1%, Bacillus subtilis 57.1% while S. aureus showed 32.5%. Hence, Pseudomonas and Bacillus species have good potentials for biosurfactant production, and can be harnessed and utilized in the cleanup of oil polluted soil

A review on the impact of commonly used pesticides on the biology of earthworms

Earthworms are considered important bio-indicators of chemical contamination in the soil ecosystem. Being an important biotic factor of soil ecosystem, earthworms play a vital role in the functioning of soil ecosystems and maintenance of soil fertility. The present review encompasses the diverse effects of chemical contaminants like pesticides on earthworm biology, considering both direct toxicity and indirect impacts on ecosystem functions. Through a comprehensive review of existing literature, we assess the varying impacts of different classes of pesticides on earthworms. Several studies included in this review shed light on how pesticide exposure affects earthworm behaviour, reproduction, regenerative capacity, histology, gut microbial diversity, and nutrient transition, among other adverse effects, which consequently affect the soil ecosystem dynamics. Furthermore, we discuss the implications of these findings for agricultural practices, soil health, and biodiversity conservation. This study discusses the impact of pesticides on different facets of earthworm biology and emphasizes the necessity of sustainable pest management strategies to maintain the productivity and adaptability of ecosystems by enhancing our understanding of the complex interactions that occur between soil organisms, like earthworms, and foreign chemicals, or xenobiotics, like pesticides

Interplay of plant pathogens and host defenses: Unveiling the mechanisms and strategies for crop protection

Plant pathogens, encompassing a diverse array of microbes including fungi, nematodes, protozoa, bacteria, and viruses, represent a significant threat to agricultural stability by compromising plant health. These microorganisms engage in a complex battle against plant immune systems, leading to diseases that can drastically diminish crop yields, degrade product quality, and in extreme cases, cause total crop failure. A comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms underlying plant infection, the specific pathogens involved, and the strategy for effective prevention is crucial for agricultural sustainability. This review paper provides a detailed examination of the multifaceted interactions between plant pathogens and their hosts, focusing on the entry mechanisms, symptom development, and prevention strategies against plant diseases. Major findings reveal the intricate ways pathogens interact with plant immune responses, the critical role of environmental factors in disease outbreaks, and the effectiveness of integrated disease management approaches. The paper concludes with a novel perspective, emphasizing the urgent need for sustainable, science-based strategies to enhance plant resistance, safeguard food security, and mitigate the economic consequences of plant pathogenic diseases. This synthesis not only advances our understanding of plant pathology but also sets a framework for future research directions in plant disease management

Effects of feeding regime on growth, production, and economics of Oreochromine cichlids (Oreochromis mossambicus) in earthen ponds of Bangladesh

The experiment was carried out to evaluate the effects of feeding frequency on the growth, production, and economic aspects of Oreochromine cichlids (Oreochromis mossambicus) in nine earthen ponds for 120 days. Three different feeding regimes (T1, T2, and T3) with three replications each were used. The stocking density was uniform across all treatments at 25,000 fish per hectare. The fish were fed a commercially available pelleted feed with the same feeding rate in all treatments, but the feeding frequency varied. The feeding rate was 10%, 8%, 7%, 6 %, 5%, and 4% which was consecutively adjusted after each fortnightly sampling and 3% for the last 4 weeks of the study period. Feeding frequencies were once a day for T1, twice a day for T2, and three times a day for T3. The average weight gain of Oreochromine cichlids in T3 (295±5 gm) was significantly higher (P<0.05) than those of T2 (240.67±6.66 gm) and T1 (217.17±7.64 gm). The survival rates were 95.20%, 96.99%, and 97.33% for T1, T2, and T3, respectively. The net production of fish in T3 (2882.00±62.00 kg/ha) was significantly higher (P<0.05) than in T2 (2413.00± kg/ha) and T1 (2223±30.55). Furthermore, the highest net return (USD 1163/ha with a cost-benefit ratio of 1.42) was achieved from T3, followed by T2 (USD 527/ha with a cost-benefit ratio of 1.19) and T1 (USD 270/ha with a cost-benefit ratio of 1.09).  The results demonstrated that increasing the feeding frequency has positive effects on the growth and production of Oreochromine cichlids.&nbsp

Impact of IPM training on pest management practices in major vegetables in Palpa, Nepal

A study assessed the impact of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) training on pest management practices in major vegetable crops in Palpa district. A total of 138 respondents were selected through purposive random sampling from Tansen municipality and the rural municipalities of Bagnaskali and Ribdikot. Data was collected via semi-structured interviews on prevailing IPM practices, pesticide handling, and challenges in IPM adoption. The analysis, employing descriptive and inferential statistics including chi-square tests, revealed that most trained respondents were from Tansen municipality, with more females than males receiving training. Although respondents preferred botanical methods, they predominantly used chemical pesticides due to availability, lack of biopesticides, high costs of IPM, social constraints, and the absence of block farming. Agro-vet stores were the main information source on pesticides. The level of pest control influenced chemical pesticide purchases, with low awareness of pest resistance. Both trained and non-trained respondents sprayed pesticides during pest outbreaks, with few reporting symptoms from exposure. Trained respondents exhibited greater awareness of the impacts of chemical pesticides on beneficial insects and soil health, the importance of waiting periods, safe pesticide disposal, and safety precautions. Significant associations were found between IPM training and chemical pesticide use, awareness of their impacts on beneficial insects, pesticide disposal methods, waiting periods, safety precautions, and perceptions of soil impact. The study highlighted the critical role of training in enhancing pest management practices and awareness of the adverse effects of chemical pesticides, underscoring the need for increased availability of biopesticides and support for IPM adoption